Synonyms: delicate
Definition: exquisitely fine and subtle and pleasing; susceptible to injury
Usage: a delicate violin passage; delicate china; a delicate flavor; the delicate wing of a butterfly
Similar words: dainty, exquisite
Definition: delicately beautiful
Usage: a dainty teacup; an exquisite cameo
Similar words: ethereal, gossamer
Definition: characterized by unusual lightness and delicacy
Usage: this smallest and most ethereal of birds; gossamer shading through his playing
Similar words: fragile
Definition: vulnerably delicate
Usage: she has the fragile beauty of youth
Similar words: light-handed
Definition: having a metaphorically delicate touch
Usage: the translation is...light-handed...and generally unobtrusive- New Yorker
Similar words: overdelicate
Definition: extremely delicate
Usage: an overdelicate digestive system
Similar words: pastel
Definition: lacking in body or vigor
Usage: faded pastel charms of the naive music
Similar words: tender
Definition: (of plants) not hardy; easily killed by adverse growing condition
Usage: tender green shoots
Synonyms: delicate, fragile, frail
Definition: easily broken or damaged or destroyed
Usage: a kite too delicate to fly safely; fragile porcelain plates; fragile old bones; a frail craft
Similar words: breakable
Definition: capable of being broken or damaged
Usage: earthenware pottery is breakable; breakable articles should be packed carefully
Synonyms: delicate, touchy, ticklish
Definition: difficult to handle; requiring great tact
Usage: delicate negotiations with the big powers; hesitates to be explicit on so ticklish a matter; a touchy subject
Similar words: difficult, hard
Definition: not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
Usage: a difficult task; nesting places on the cliffs are difficult of access; difficult times; why is it so hard for you to keep a secret?
Definition: developed with extreme delicacy and subtlety
Usage: the satire touches with finespun ridicule every kind of human pretense
Similar words: refined
Definition: (used of persons and their behavior) cultivated and genteel
Usage: she was delicate and refined and unused to hardship; refined people with refined taste
Synonyms: delicate
Definition: of an instrument or device; capable of registering minute differences or changes precisely
Usage: almost undetectable with even the most delicate instruments
Similar words: sensitive
Definition: responsive to physical stimuli
Usage: a mimosa's leaves are sensitive to touch; a sensitive voltmeter; sensitive skin; sensitive to light
Synonyms: delicate
Definition: marked by great skill especially in meticulous technique
Usage: a surgeon's delicate touch
Similar words: skilled
Definition: having or showing or requiring special skill
Usage: only the most skilled gymnasts make an Olympic team; a skilled surgeon has many years of training and experience; a skilled reconstruction of her damaged elbow; a skilled trade
Definition: easily hurt
Usage: soft hands; a baby's delicate skin